Over the last 18 years, Slater has worked tirelessly to help shape a school food system where all children can enjoy nutritious, delicious, and sustainable meals - and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food.
In 2007, Slater began this journey as a concerned parent campaigning to improve poor-quality meals at her children’s school. Her work ‘sparked a revolution’ in the local London borough and laid the foundation for School Food Matters, now a national charity and a leader in ‘transforming’ school food across England.
Slater co-chairs the School Food Alliance and is a founding member of the School Food Review, which unites over 40 organisations working together to achieve lasting improvements in the school food system.
The Government recently announced it will extend free school meals to all children from families receiving universal credit - a landmark policy shift long championed by School Food Matters and its partners.
Rebecca O’Connell, School Food Matters chair of trustees and professor of food, families and society at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “It is magnificent that Stephanie’s tireless work to improve the lives of school children throughout England is recognised in this honour.
“Through its extensive grassroots work in school kitchens, canteens, classrooms and communities, School Food Matters has developed a deep understanding of the realities of school food provision and education – and mobilises this knowledge to campaign effectively at the highest levels for systemic, lasting, policy change.
“This award recognises that the charity’s growing success derives from Stephanie’s determination to actively put hope into practice, driving transformation to meet every child’s right to nutritious school food. Huge congratulations to Stephanie, on behalf of the board. We are proud and privileged to support your work.”